Double ratchet wrench

ABSTRACT

A double ratchet wrench capable of loosening or tightening nuts either in a conventional reciprocating arcuate manner when the nuts are freely accessible thereto, or in a linear reciprocating manner when the nuts are in a cramped or inaccessible area and usage of the wrench is not possible in the conventional manner. The wrench includes a head and a body, the head being provided with a spindle having ends for receiving nut sockets, and first and second pawls for mesh with respective ratchets. Located on the spindle is a double spool, each spool having spring members thereon which are cooperatively associated with a rod which extends through the handle. Upon linear reciprocating movement of the rod, the spools are moved to rotate the spindle to either loosen or tighten the nuts.

United States Patent I [191 Diehl et al.

[45] Jan. 2 1974 DOUBLE RATCHET WRENCH [76] Inventors: Henry T. Diehl, 1722 Certainty Dr.,

Point Pleasant, NJ. 08743; James D. Rouse, 2100 Brier Oak Dr., Bryon, Tex. 77801 [22] Filed: Jan. 8, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 321,778

Primary Examiner-James L. Jones, Jr. Attorr ty, Ag en t, br Fii' r n -johri I. L ip a ri [57] ABSTRACT A double ratchet wrench capable of loosening or tightening nuts either in a conventional reciprocating arcuate manner when the nuts are freely accessible thereto, or in a linear reciprocating manner when the nuts are in a cramped or inaccessible area and usage of the wrench is not possible in the conventional manner. The wrench includes a head and a body, the head being provided with a spindle having ends for receiving nut sockets, and first and second pawls for mesh with respective ratchets. Located on the spindle is a double spool, each spool having spring members thereon which are cooperatively associated with a rod which extends through the handle. Upon linear reciprocating movement of the rod, the spools are moved to rotate the spindle to either loosen or tighten the nuts.

" GEiHiEYEDiMhQ ran PATENTED JAN 2 2 i974 SHEU 1 BF 2 PMENTEDJM 22 m4 SHEU 2 [IF 2 DOUBLE RATCHET WRENCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION At times, usage of a conventional ratchet wrench, wherein the wrench is moved in an arcuate reciprocating manner to rotate a spindle having the nut sockets thereon, is not possible. For example, the nuts tobe either applied or removed may be located in a crowded or inaccessible space such that the wrench cannot be operated in the well-known arcuate movable manner. Attempts to overcome this problem have been suggested wherein either multiple parts are interchangeably employed or various different tools are utilized or both. Further, while single tools have been suggested, such tools are cumbersome, complex, difficult to manufacture and costly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to obviate the difficulties noted with-the prior art and to provide a low cost, long-life, simple double ratchet wrench which can be used in the conventional reciprocating arcuate being moved in a linear reciprocating manner. A spindie is located within the head aperture and is provided with ends for receiving sockets thereon, said spindle having integrally disposed therewith an annular member provided with first and second slots for respectively receiving resiliently movable firstand second pawls, the first pawl being in mesh with the aforesaid ratchet teeth. Means are provided on the spindle for receiving an integral double spoolwhich includes a first spool wrench may be moved in the conventional reciprocating arcuate movement wherein the spindle is rotated due to the meshing of the first pawl with the ratchet teeth located in the wrench head.

DRAWINGS Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a side view of the wrench;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2; a

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION With reference to the drawings, as seen in FIGS. I and 2, the wrench includes a unitary body 10 having a knurled handle 11 at one end and a head 12 at the other end having an aperture 12a therein. An elongated slot 13 extends from aperture 12a through body 10 and terminates at said one end thereof.

Journaled within aperture 12a is a spindle, generally referred to at 15, having opposing ends 16 16 extending therefrom for receiving conventional sockets 16a-16a. The spindle is confined within aperture 12a by end plates 17-17 which are secured by snap rings 18-18 whose ends are hooked into respective grooves 1919 located on head 12. As seen in FIG. 3, an annu- Iar member 20 is integrally connected to the spindle and provided with a first slot 21 for receiving a first pawl 22. An opening 23 is perpendicularly disposed with the bottom surface of first slot 21 for holding a coiled spring 24 and pin 25 which projects upwardly therefrom to engage the undersurface of pawl 22 in order to provide the necessary tension thereon so that its teeth 26 can mesh with ratchet teeth 27 disposed on the inner periphery of aperture 12a.

A second pawl 28 is provided with a supporting arm 29 which is located in a second recess 30 located within annular member 20. Pawl 28 extends from its supporting arm over a second slot 31 located in a second member 32 integrally disposed on the spindle, said second member having opposing arcuate peripheries 32a-32a connected to respective opposing linear peripheries 32b32b. The top end of the second slot 31 communicates with one of the linear peripheries 32b and is capable of holding a coiled spring 33 and pin 34 which projects outwardly therefrom to engage the undersurface of second pawl 28 in order to provide the necessary tension thereon so that it can mesh with ratchet teeth 35 disposed on the inner surface of a first spool 36a of an integrated double spool, generally referred to at 36, now to be described.

The double spool 36 includes first spool 36a and a second spool 36b, the first spool 36a being of a relatively larger diameter than second spool 36b. Each of the spools is provided with respective recessed peripheries for receiving respective clock spring wires 38a, 38b. With reference to first spool 36a, one end of spring wire 38a is provided with a transversely disposed pin 39 whose ends are located in a pair of opposing slots 4040 disposed on the first spool 36a in order to lock said end of the spring wire thereto. The spring wire 38a is coiled about the periphery of the first spool, and the other end of the spring wire is fastened to a detent 41 located near one end of a rod 43 via a pin 42, transversely connected to the spring wire.

Rod 43 is of a diameter slightly smaller than elongated slot 13 and extends therethrough, said rod being provided with an extending flat surface 44 recessed between opposing front and back walls 45-45. A ring 46 is provided at the other end of rod 43 for facilitating manipulation thereof in a linear reciprocating movement. If desired, a rounded knurled surface, not shown, can be used in place of ring 46. A pin 47 extends transversely through body 10 and over flat surface 44 to serve as a stop for the rod when either of walls 4545 are in contact therewith during application of the linear reciprocating movement thereof.

With reference to the second spool 36b, one end of spring wire 38b is provided with a transversely disposed pin 50 which is located in a recessed groove extending transversely through the outer periphery of the second spool. The pin 50 is locked into position by inserting one of its ends into an opening located on the side wall of first spool 36a and its other end into a locking groove 51 provided on second spool 36b. The spring wire 38b is coiled about the periphery of second spool 36b, and the other end of said spring wire is fastened to a locking groove 52 located on the inner surface of head 12 via a pin 53 transversely connected to the spring wire.

In operation, when it is desirable and convenient to utilize the wrench in a conventional manner to either loosen or tighten a nut, the knurled handle 11 is grasped and moved in an arcuately reciprocating movement. Thus, for example, in tightening a nut, a socket is positioned on one end 16 of the spindle which, in turn, is engaged with the nut. As the operator lifts the handle, a plurality of ratchet teeth 27 moves over first pawl 22 and the spindle remains stationary. As the operator depresses the handle, a ratchet tooth locks in contact with the first pawl, which, in turn, causes the spindle to rotate and the socket to tighten the wrench. Conversely, if it is desired to unlock the nut, a socket is located on the other spindle end 16 and contact made with the nut. The nut is loosened as the handle is lifted, since one of the ratchet teeth 27 is fixedly engaged with first pawl 22; as the handle is depressed, the ratchet teeth 27 moves over first pawl 22 and the spindle remains stationary.

However, the versatility of the wrench is best seen when it is required to either loosen or tighten a nut in an area wherein the aforesaid reciprocating arcuate movement cannot be employed due to insufficient space. In such an event, the wrench is employed via the following example. In tightening a nut, the socket is located on a spindle end 16 which, in turn, is engaged with the nut. The operator then applies a linear reciprocating movement to rod 43. As the rod is pulled outwardly from the handle, spring wire 38a unwinds from the first spool 36a, thereby causing second pawl 28 to lock with one of the ratchet teeth 35 and rotate the spindle to tighten the nut. Simultaneously, during rotation of the spindle, spring wire 38b tightly winds about the periphery of the second spool 36b. As the handle is moved inwardly within the handle, spring wire 48a winds about its periphery as spring wire 38b unwinds about its periphery, thereby resulting in a smooth return of said rod. Also, ratchet teeth 25 freely slides over second pawl 28 thus causing the spindle to remain stationary during this time. Conversely, in the event it is desired to remove a nut located in an undesirable or cramped location, the socket is positioned on the other spindle end 16 and the same linear reciprocating movement again is employed.

Although one embodment of the invention has been described, other embodiments'of the invention may be had without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

I. A wrench, which comprises:

a unitary body which includes a head and a handle,

said handle having an elongated slot extending therethrough and communicating with an aperture formed in the head, said head including a plurality of peripherally disposed ratchet teeth about a portion of the inner surface thereof;

a rod extending through said aperture and capable of being movable therein in a linear reciprocating manner;

a spindle located within said head aperture and having ends extending therefrom for receiving sockets thereon, said spindle having integrally disposed therewith an annular member provided with first and second slots for respectively receiving resiliently movable first and second pawls, said first pawl being in mesh with said head ratchet teeth;

means on said spindle for receiving an integral double spool which includes a first spool and a second spool;

a first spring member having one end connected to the first spool and wound thereabout, and another end connected to one end of said rod; and

a second spring member having one end connected to the second spool and wound thereabout, and another end connected to said body, said first and second spools being rotatably movable responsive to movement of said rod for rotating the spindle.

I 2. A wrench, according to claim 1, wherein said first spool is provided with ratchet teeth about its inner periphery for mesh with said second pawl.

3. A wrench, according to claim 2, wherein said annular member further includes first and second openings communicating with said first and second slots respectively, said first and second openings each having disposed therein a spring-loaded pin for contracting its respective first and second pawl to provide the necessary tension thereon for meshing with its respective ratchet teeth.

4. A wrench, according to claim 2, wherein said rod is provided with a flat surface extending between a pair of opposing walls projecting therefrom, and

a pin extending transversely through the wrench handle and over said flat surface to serve as a stop for said walls during the linear reciprocating movement of the rod.

5. A wrench, according to claim 2, which further provides a pair of opposing end plates for securely holding the spindle in the wrench head.

6. A wrench, according to claim 2, wherein said annular member further includes first and second openings communicating with said first and second slots respectively, said first and second openings each having disposed therein a spring-loaded pin for contacting its respective first and second pawl to provide the necessary tension thereon for meshing with its respective teeth;

said rod being provided with a flat surface extending between a pair of opposing walls projecting therefrom, and a pin extending transversely through the wrench handle and over said flat surface to serve as a stop for said walls during the linear reciprocating movement of the rod; and,

a pair of opposing end plates for securely holding the spindle in the wrench head. 

1. A wrench, which comprises: a unitary body which includes a head and a handle, said handle having an elongated slot extending therethrough and communicating with an aperture formed in the head, said head including a plurality of peripherally disposed ratchet teeth about a portion of the inner surface thereof; a rod extending through said aperture and capable of being movable therein in a linear reciprocating manner; a spindle located within said head aperture and having ends extending therefrom for receiving sockets thereon, said spindle having integrally disposed therewith an annular member provided with first and second slots for respectively receiving resiliently movable first and second pawls, said first pawl being in mesh with said head ratchet teeth; means on said spindle for receiving an integral double spool which includes a first spool and a seconD spool; a first spring member having one end connected to the first spool and wound thereabout, and another end connected to one end of said rod; and a second spring member having one end connected to the second spool and wound thereabout, and another end connected to said body, said first and second spools being rotatably movable responsive to movement of said rod for rotating the spindle.
 2. A wrench, according to claim 1, wherein said first spool is provided with ratchet teeth about its inner periphery for mesh with said second pawl.
 3. A wrench, according to claim 2, wherein said annular member further includes first and second openings communicating with said first and second slots respectively, said first and second openings each having disposed therein a spring-loaded pin for contracting its respective first and second pawl to provide the necessary tension thereon for meshing with its respective ratchet teeth.
 4. A wrench, according to claim 2, wherein said rod is provided with a flat surface extending between a pair of opposing walls projecting therefrom, and a pin extending transversely through the wrench handle and over said flat surface to serve as a stop for said walls during the linear reciprocating movement of the rod.
 5. A wrench, according to claim 2, which further provides a pair of opposing end plates for securely holding the spindle in the wrench head.
 6. A wrench, according to claim 2, wherein said annular member further includes first and second openings communicating with said first and second slots respectively, said first and second openings each having disposed therein a spring-loaded pin for contacting its respective first and second pawl to provide the necessary tension thereon for meshing with its respective teeth; said rod being provided with a flat surface extending between a pair of opposing walls projecting therefrom, and a pin extending transversely through the wrench handle and over said flat surface to serve as a stop for said walls during the linear reciprocating movement of the rod; and, a pair of opposing end plates for securely holding the spindle in the wrench head. 